Suspension left Chelsea without their star striker for the visit of Tottenham on Wednesday night but any suggestions the Blues' relentless run of form might be blunted by Costa's absence were soon dismissed.

Jose Mourinho's side coasted to a 3-0 victory and Costa's replacements, Didier Drogba and Loic Remy, chipped in with a goal each to put Chelsea six points clear at the top.

LIVERPOOL AND GERRARD BACK ON THE ATTACK

Steven Gerrard proved he does not have to play out his twilight years at the base of Liverpool's midfield as the England skipper was back in Liverpool's starting line-up and handed a more attacking role at Leicester.

The 34-year-old capped an encouraging team performance with a goal as Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners.

FORSTER A GENUINE CONTENDER TO HART

Manchester City may have jumped above Southampton in the table but Joe Hart's place ahead of Fraser Forster in the England side looks increasingly under threat.

Alexis Sanchez's late goal ended Forster's hopes of an eighth clean sheet in the league this season but another superb performance from the Saints shot-stopper will surely not have gone unnoticed by Roy Hodgson.

EVERTON MISS MCCARTHY

Everton's underwhelming start to the season took a turn for the worse as their defeat to Tottenham on Sunday was followed up with a 1-1 draw at home to Hull, who had lost their previous four consecutive matches.

James McCarthy missed both matches with a hamstring problem and Roberto Martinez's side look to be desperately lacking the 24-year-old's energy and dynamism in midfield.

BENTEKE TURNS THE TIDE FOR VILLA

Three consecutive draws had seen Aston Villa put the brakes on a worrying slide down the table but Christian Benteke's timely return helped Paul Lambert's side snatch a much-needed 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.

Benteke scored the winner in only his second full 90 minutes of the campaign and Villa, who have scored just eight goals this season, will be glad of the Belgian's firepower with some crucial fixtures ahead.